MY STORY @ 50 – Oluwasegun Abifarin

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein

I woke up today to the miracle of breasting the golden tape. It has been a dramatic race shaped by God, people and events. I have crossed many paths and in the process, crossed the path of so many people who have greatly helped my race. The journey has taken me from primary school to the university and through the ranks of journalism/communication profession. Apart from the huge gratitude to God Almighty, I also want to use the day to acknowledge/appreciate those people our paths have crossed in the race of the last fifty years

Right from my first day at United Anglican Primary School, Ekan Meje, Oke Ero Local Government of Kwara State in 1973, I can still remember Amos Oludare, Segun Olajide, Ezekiel Olayemi, Thomas Adekeye, Victor Alao and the rest. At Fatima College, also at Ekan Meje, some of them include Jide Ogunsola, Patrick Dawodu, Anthony Bamigboye, Femi Abidoye, Oye Raphael, Tony Ashaolu, Tobi Osinowo, Kayode Ajibola, Michael Olajire Ipe, Simeon Abiodun Kolawole, etc 

After I moved to Igbobi College Lagos, for my HSC, I met Chris Kehinde Nwandu, CKN, Kayode Jackson, Seun Anifowose, Fashola (can’t remember the first name) Segun Osinaike and the rest.

At the University of Lagos, the long list include Ademola Olajire, Abiodun Enayon, Kingsley Johnson, Grace Awodu, Tola Fashoro, Bola Olawuyi, Ose Osamendan, Salami Shuiabu, Femi Akorede, Biodun Bayo, Simon Kolawole, Waziri Adio, Gbenga Olawepo, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Ola Abiola, Segun Mayegun, Kenneth Nwachukwu, Emman Onyeche, Silas Abayomi, Kunle Akinjogbin, Femi Owoeye, Doyin Adewunmi, Temitope Jinadu , Agboola Alphonso, Bolaji Abdulahi and numerous others

My taste of journalism at Business Today Newspaper brought me in contact with Ted Iwere, Edem Vindah,  Doifie Ola etc, before I moved to The News Magazine at inception in 1993. The Journey at The News at Osolo way, Oshodi brought my path across that of Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Seye Kehinde, Idowu Obasa, Ayo Arowolo, Muyiwa Adekeye, Jenkins Alumona, Akin Adesokan, Ebenezer Obadare, Semiu Salami, Peju Sanni, Biodun Fagunjade, Simon Kolawole, Demola Olajire and other members of that great team.

At Financial Standand, Ayo Arowolo came my way again, just like Simon Kolawole, Yemi Ajayi, Uche Chris and Haniel Ukpakure. When I moved with Simon Kolawole to The Week Magazine in 2001, my path crossed that of Clement Okitikpi, Laurence Ani, Dayo Thomas, Gregory Nwaknuor, Anayo Okorie, Alex Ogundadegbe, Ismaila Adebowale, Femi Kolawole, Deji Ademigbuji. Others include Adeola Yusuf, Anietie  Ekong, Kunle Olafioye, Olawale Abideen, Jude Atupulazi, Aliyu Askira, Nneka Okoli, Tola Odusote, Nta Daniel, Faith Akagha etc

The journey to The Source brought my way across that of Dame Comfort Obi, Igho Akeregha, Yakubu Yusuf, Bayo Bernard, Osas Ogbonwan, Stephen Ubana, Marcel Okoro, etc

The Communication profession has also brought me in contact with Adetokunbo Modupe, Charles Igbinidu, Joe Okonmah, Oladele Olakunle, Onos Akusu, Kufre Ekanem, Patrick Olowokere, Emeka Aniukwu, Ifedayo Adegbenro, Ify Odita, Abiodun Ayodeji, Tosin Tiodunmo. My media partners in the Print, Broadcast and Online media are just too numerous to mention here

The membership of my professional groups has brought me in contact with Olufunke Fadugba, Funke Egbemode, Baba Dantiye, Wahab Oba, Deji Elumoye, Slyva Okereke, Femi Adesina, Angela Agoawike, Garba Shehu and others. 

Above all, the journey has been very dramatic: my enrollment in primary school; my admission to college; my admission to Unilag; my union activism in the school; the attempt by Unilag to stop my Master’s degree admission; my marriage and the coming of the twins – all dramatic stories still waiting to be told.

Today is a day of gratitude – to God and to man. This is my story; this is my song

Oluwasegun Abifarin 26/11/2016

Media and Content Manager

TPT International

08050498522